Basement Drop Ceiling Ideas

Before you start your basement ceiling decide weather you will drywall your basement ceiling or install a drop ceiling. If you find it difficult to choose, consider some of the advantages and disadvantages below.

Advantages:

- The idea of being able to access the electrical wiring to add or remove some lights in without having to damage the drywall is one of the advantages of a basement drop ceiling.

- Air ducts need to be repaired or even replaced.

- How about water leaks from hot or cold water lines? Any repairs and modifications that you might need to do on these lines and ducts can be very costly if you have to open an area in the basement ceiling. But not with a dropped ceiling, just remove as many ceiling tiles as needed and put them back when you are done. It is that simple. In my opinion, drop ceiling tiles are by far the best choice for a basement ceiling.

- You can choose from different styles of ceiling tiles and textures. Choose your tiles carefully. Keep in mind that the bigger the tiles the less work since you do not have use have to use as many.

- Once the tiles are in place the ceiling is finished without having to tape and paint it.

Disadvantages:

- Reduction of head room - a minimum of 4in is required to slide the ceiling tiles in place.

- Cost, ceiling tiles cost more money then drywall, although there is a way to cut down on the cost of a drop ceiling.

The basement is usually the most neglected part of your home, and the most neglected part is the basement ceiling. It is where you can find pipes, ducts and wires that keep your house running smoothly. Nowadays, a lot people now want to utilize the space and one of their huge obstacles is the ceiling.

There are some common ways to conceal an ugly ceiling that have proven to be effective. Although you have to exert some effort to see beautiful results, it is worth it.

One of the easiest solutions to your unsightly ceiling problem is to install a suspended or dropped ceiling. They consist of a grid work of metal bars in the shape of an upside-down T, which are suspended on wires from the overhead joists.

There are several advantages to the suspended ceiling:

- No need to move wires, pipes or ducts
- Joists don't need to be straight for the finished ceiling to be flat
- Access to heating, cooling and electrical systems and adding lighting fixtures is a simple matter of removing a panel
- Insulates unwanted noise from above

But if you already have a low ceiling, you probably do not want to sacrifice any more headroom. This is the suspended ceiling's biggest flaw, it eat ups into head space in your basement.

Another option you can try is to install a drywall basement ceiling. This is not an easy or simple solution but it does give the most professional look. To maximize the headroom in your ceiling, you can relocate some wires and pipes before you install the drywall. Big obstructions such as ducts need to be boxed in for a cleaner look.

Some benefits of using dry wall include:

- It is an excellent base for paint and other materials, such as wood panels
- It has fire-retardant qualities
- It gives the most professional look
- It is relatively inexpensive

It's worthwhile to take the time to think about what sort of basement ceiling you want or what type of ceiling concealment is best for your basement. There really is a decision to make because the types of ceilings have their own advantages and drawbacks as to their capabilities and appearance.